If you are looking for an authentic Mexican restaurant in Northeastern Pennsylvania, La Casita De Familia in Shenandoah is the place to go. La Casita De Familia translates to The Family House and that’s exactly how you feel when you visit, just like one of the family. The minute you walk through the door, you are greeted with a welcoming smile…and delicious fresh homemade chips and salsa. This Shenandoah anchor opened its doors back in 2005, but this talented family has been cooking together for generations.
Husband and wife team, Flor Gomez and Educ Zamudio decided to open a restaurant in Shenandoah because their colleagues were constantly requesting them to bring their homemade Mexican food to work. “We would take food orders and my mother-in-law and sister-in-law would cook the food,” explained Flor. “We started selling tamales by the half dozen.". She said after that, they sold their food at Downtown Shenandoah’s Heritage Day and noticed how much customers were enjoying it. “That’s when the family thought it would be a great idea to open a restaurant in town,” she said. So they bought an empty building located at their current Centre Street location, everyone chipped in and they built a family business. That was 18 years ago on Thanksgiving Day and La Casita De Familia continues to grow and thrive.
Menu Features Mexican Food From the Guanajuato Region
The menu is full of authentic homemade Mexican food from the Guanajuato region of Mexico. They serve homemade tamales, salsa, chips, soups, empanadas, tacos, and much, more. Flor explained that since she grew up in Texas, there is also a little bit of Tex-Mex on the menu. Whatever special love and ingredients go into their recipes, customers agree that the food is incredible. "People travel from all over the region to enjoy this little restaurant with really big flavor and personality," said Mary Luscavage, a longtime customer and family friend. "It's well worth the drive, no matter how many miles you travel," she added.
“I always tell people our food is really delicious and I’m not just saying that, I really mean it," said Flor. “Many people tell us that after trying our food, there is no better Mexican food at other restaurants,” she smiled. One of their most popular beverages on the menu is the aguas frescas, a non-alcoholic blend of fruits, sweetener, and water. La Casita makes them fresh daily and displays the colorful flavors of the day in their front window. “We have so many customers who drive by, see the colors, and know exactly what flavors they are,” said Flor.
Taking The Restaurant On The Road Built More Business
Through the years, they have kept their roots in Shenandoah, but have also taken their family restaurant business on the road. For the past eight years, La Casita has had food stands at The Bloomsburg Fair and the Hometown Farmer’s Market. They also have a food truck that travels to different festivals and outdoor events like the Kielbasi Festival/Heritage Day. “These stands have brought us many new customers that also come to our Shenandoah location," said Flor. A more recent way the couple decided to expand their business is through offering delivery through Door Dash, Now, those who can't make it to Shenandoah, can enjoy their delicious menu items, too.
Superman Work Ethic Runs In The Family
Flor is proud of her family's dedication and work ethic which was instrumental in building and growing their business. "My husband is a very hard worker and manages to do it all," she said. "Sometimes I tell him he’s like Superman. Our eldest son Educ Jr. is also a big part of our business. He helps with our food trucks, cooks at the restaurant and so much more. Our other children also help at the restaurant. I think this is a great experience for all of them because they are learning customer service skills, multitasking skills, how to cook, and most of all a good worth ethic."
Continually Supports Community Groups
La Casita De Familia is always happy to give back to its community by donating, sponsoring, and supporting local schools and nonprofit organizations, like DSI. “Flor and her team continually support DSI and we appreciate them for everything they do for our community, including serving up one of the best tacos in town," said Susan Williams, DSI spokesperson.
Follow La Casita De Familia on Facebook for daily specials and visit the restaurant located at 8 E. Centre Street, Shenandoah, PA, Thursday through Sunday. You can also visit them at the Hometown Farmers Market every Wednesday.
